Connector clip



July 8, 1941. owg 2,248,718

, NNNN ECTOR CLIP Filed April 1, 1959 Patented July 8, 1941 iii" 2-;

S Jiff- CONNECTOR GL3? Application April 1, 1939, Serial No. 265,534

(Cl. 173324) I 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to electric connectors and more particularly to clips by means of which positive electrical contacts may be established.

A principal object of the invention is the provision of a, connector clip which is of particular value in establishing an electrical contact to the reflecting surface of a mirror in the electrodeposition of a protective coating thereon.

Normally the reflecting films of mirrors are covered only with a layer of shellac or paint. Where, however, the mirrors are to be subjected to extraordinary conditions or it is desired to insure in them a greater serviceable life, a protecting film of metal is deposited electrolytically over the reflecting film. This latter process is accomplished by submerging a mirror plate in an electrolytic bath and directing the deposit of a metallic coating, such as copper or lead, upon the reflecting film. The coating operation requires the creation of an electrical circuit and as an incident thereof, a positive contact with the reflecting film of the mirror.

Heretofore numerous contacts have been employed but the most favored has been a copper clip of the so-called alligator type. This form of clip is easily applied to mirror plates, occupies but little space, and affords a satisfactory contact. It is well known, however, that these clips become corroded after a short exposure in the electrolytic bath, the springs forcing the refleXly-bent jaw portions of the clips together fail, and a good contact is no longer possible. A second disadvantage of the alligator clip is the fact that the jaws pierce the reflecting film and considerable loss is entailed in removing the imperfect mirror edges.

Briefly stated, the present invention is designed to overcome the material losses occasioned by the corrosion of the standard clip through the use of a clip wherein the base portion is made of rubber or other resilient material. Damage to the reflecting film of mirrors is likewise reduced by establishing contact at the extreme edges thereof.

Certain preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a clip as contemplated by the invention and as positioned upon a mirror plate.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of one form of a metal contact forming a part of a clip and Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are vertical sectional views of other forms of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, a body portion l of rubber or other resilient material is provided with a pair of work-gripping jaws 2 and 3, spaced a distance sufficient to permit ready application. The jaws 2 and 3 are normally retained in converging relation by the elasticity of the body I and may be forced open by movement of parallel fingers l extending rearwardly from the body I of the clip, to permit the placement thereof upon a mirror plate 5 with its reflecting film uppermost. The under jaw 2 is provided with a grooved surface 6 to insure positive gripping of the plate 5. The upper jaw 3 carries a metal contact I which includes an elongated bar 8 provided with a toothed edge 9. The upper end of the contact is threaded at H to engage a nut l2 by means of which it is secured to the jaw 3. Electric current is fed to the contact I through a cable M, connected thereto, and washers l8 lie on opposite sides of the end of the cable M.

A second type of connector is shown in Figure 3, wherein a body portion 2| of rubber or other resilient material is provided with a single Workgripping jaw 22 having a grooved surface 23,

a which engages a mirror plate 24 with the reflecting film uppermost. The body portion 2| also carries a rearwardly-extending finger 26 which assists in controlling movement of the connector. A central section 21 of the body portion 2! forms a shoulder whichserves as an abutment for the mirror plate 24. The lug 28 is passed through an opening 29 provided in a metal upper jaw 3i, substantially of U-shape in cross-section and the lug laps over the forward end 32 of the upper jaw, thus forcing it downwardly toward the lower jaw 22. The portion 32 of the upper jaw is provided with a toothed area 33 to insure positive contact with the mirror plate 24. A cable 35 connectedto the upper jaw 3i serves to supply electric current to the connector.

Another form of connector is illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing. Therein the body portion 2| is substantially equivalent to that shown in Fig. 3. The work-gripping jaw 22 has a sloping face, however, in order to receive mirror plates with beveled edges. A metal strip 38 is shaped to fit around the lug 28 extending from the body portion 2|, and carries downwardly-projecting teeth 39 which establish electrical contact with the mirror plate 24.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 5 entails a more symmetrical and somewhat stronger form. A body portion 4| of rubber or other resilient material has an upper lug 42 engaging and holding a metal arm 43, adapted to establish electrical contact with a mirror plate 45, supported upon a ledge 46 projecting from the body portion 4!. A lower lug 48 engages and holds a metal arm 49 against the ledge 46. The connector is in this way clamped tightly upon an edge of the mirror plate. The rearwardlyextending sections of the arms 43 and 49 serve as levers to permit the connector to be opened and removed easily from the mirror plate.

A special type of comiector illustrated in Figure 6 permits the electrodeposition of a protective metal film upon a mirror plate with absolutely no damage to the mirror itself. A body portion 5l of rubber or other resilient material has a work-supporting section 52 with a grooved surface 53. A mirror plate 54 rests thereon with its reflecting film uppermost. A lug 56 projecting from the body portion 5| carries a metal pin 51 extending therethrough and secured in position by a threaded knob 58. One end of the pin 51 bears an enlarged head 59 through which electrical contact is made with the edge of the plate 54. Suitable electric current is supplied to the connector through a cable 69 secured to the pin 51 between the knob 58 and a metal washer 6 I.

It will be observed that in the proposed forms of connectors, contact is made with only a small portion of the edge of the work. In this way surface deterioration through physical contact is greatly reduced.

It will be obvious that various modifications of the form of the connector and the arrangement of the several elements thereof may be had without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A connector clip comprising a rubber base portion provided with a pair of forwardly-projecting work-gripping jaws integrally formed therein and normally retained in converging rela tion, one of said jaws being of a greater length than the other and being provided with a grooved inner surface, a metal contact carried by the second jaw and means for opening the clip to facilitate its positioning.

WILLIAM OWEN. 

